AAA Car Rental Discounts: Benefits, CDP Codes, and Tips 2025

If you’ve ever stood at a rental counter wondering whether that AAA membership in your wallet is actually saving you money, you’re not alone. The advertised 20% off Hertz base rates is just the beginning — free additional drivers, waived young renter fees, and prepaid fuel discounts can turn a small membership fee into real trip savings.

Hertz Discount: Up to 20% off base rate · Free Additional Driver: Save up to $15 per day · CDP Code: 21000 · International Discount: Up to 10% off

Here is a quick overview of the key figures:

What does AAA get you with Hertz?

Is the Hertz AAA discount worth it?

The core benefit is straightforward: AAA members save up to 20% on the base rate of every Hertz rental in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico (AAA Club Group). For a limited time through August 15, 2026, that discount jumps to 25% off the Pay Now base rate (AAA Travel). The discount applies to daily, weekly, and weekend rentals.

Can I add a free additional driver with AAA?

Yes. AAA members can add up to four additional drivers at no extra cost, as long as each driver is also an AAA member (AAA Trip Canvas). That alone saves $13–$15 per driver per day — a typical Hertz daily additional driver fee.

Does AAA save you on prepaid fuel?

When you prepay for fuel through Hertz, AAA members get 10% off the fuel purchase (AAA Travel). This is an easy way to avoid the penalty of returning the car with a partially empty tank and paying the rental company’s refueling rate (often 2–3x market price).

Why this matters: The combination of base-rate discount, free additional driver, and prepaid fuel savings turns a standard rental into a package that frequently beats any other loyalty program’s offer.

Is Hertz AAA discount worth it?

To decide, compare the total savings against the cost of membership. AAA’s Basic plan runs $38–$68 per year, depending on region. If you rent a car twice a year and use the Hertz discount each time, you save roughly $160 a year on base rates alone — before counting the free additional driver and fuel savings.

AAA members save up to 20% on the base rate of all rentals.

AAA Travel (official AAA travel portal)

Even a single one-week rental can justify the membership. For renters under 25, the waived young renter fee (typically $25–$30 per day) on its own can save $175–$210 on a week-long trip (AAA Travel).

The trade-off: For infrequent renters (once a year or less), a one-time membership pays for itself only if you also use other AAA perks like roadside assistance and hotel discounts.

What is an AAA CDP code?

How do I get an AAA CDP code?

AAA’s Corporate Discount Program (CDP) code is 21000 for Hertz — and every AAA member gets the same number. No special sign-up required; just log into your AAA account or use the code directly from the AAA Travel portal. For Dollar and Thrifty, the codes vary by region, but AAA travel pages list them.

Where do I enter the CDP code?

When booking at Hertz.com, you’ll find a field labeled “CDP Code” or “Corporate Discount Number.” Enter 21000 there. The discount and benefits are applied automatically to the base rate. You can also book directly through AAA.com/travel and the code is pre-populated.

Is the CDP code the same for all AAA members?

Yes — the primary CDP code 21000 is universal for Hertz across all AAA clubs in the U.S. and Canada. However, some local clubs may supplement with additional promotional codes for limited-time offers. Always check your club’s specific travel page (AAA National).

The implication: The CDP code is the single key to unlocking all Hertz AAA benefits — without it, the discount and perks simply won’t apply.

What is the best company to rent a car from?

What are the most trustworthy car rental companies?

Hertz, Enterprise, and National routinely top customer satisfaction surveys. The Which? Best Car Hire Companies 2026 ranking (UK consumer advocacy group) places Hertz among the top for fleet condition and customer service. For AAA members, Hertz offers the deepest discounts and most benefits.

Which rental companies partner with AAA?

AAA’s primary partners are Hertz, Dollar (up to 15% off base rate), and Thrifty (up to 10% off) (AAA Trip Canvas). All three offer free additional drivers and a free child safety seat. Enterprise does not have a direct AAA partnership, though some regional clubs may have negotiated discounts.

How does Hertz compare to Enterprise and Thrifty?

Here is a side-by-side look at AAA benefits across the top companies:

The implication: For AAA members, Hertz offers the most comprehensive value, especially if you need a young renter waiver or plan to use multiple drivers. Dollar and Thrifty are budget-friendly alternatives with fewer frills.

What is the cheapest way to rent a car in Europe?

How much does it cost to rent a car for 2 weeks in Europe?

According to AAA National, a 14-day rental in Europe with Hertz (using the AAA discount) can run anywhere from $800 to $1,500 depending on country, car class, and insurance. AAA members get at least 5% off the base rate in participating countries, with up to 10% off in select markets.

Does AAA offer discounts on European rentals?

Yes. The AAA Hertz discount applies in 80+ countries, including Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK (AAA National). The international discount is typically 5–10% off the pay later base rate. You must book through the AAA travel portal or enter the CDP code on Hertz.com.

What are tips for cheap car rental in Europe?

• Book early — rates rise as pickup date approaches, especially summer.
• Avoid airport pickups — city-center locations can be 20–30% cheaper.
• Use the AAA CDP code to unlock the discount and free additional driver.
• Check your credit card insurance — you may not need the rental company’s Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which can add $30–$50 per day.
• Consider a manual transmission — automatics cost significantly more in Europe.

What this means: A European rental with the AAA discount plus careful booking choices can reduce the total cost by 15–25% compared to booking without any membership.

How to Use Your AAA Car Rental Discount

1. Log in to your AAA account or visit AAA Travel to access partner links.
2. Select Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty — check rates with the CDP code applied.
3. Enter CDP code 21000 (for Hertz) in the corporate discount field at booking.
4. Compare Pay Now vs Pay Later — the limited-time 25% off applies only to Pay Now.
5. Add additional drivers — each must present their AAA membership card at pickup.
6. Prepay fuel to get 10% off if you plan to return the tank full.
7. Present your AAA card at the counter (digital or physical).

Pros and Cons of AAA Car Rental Discounts

What We Know vs. What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

• AAA members save up to 20% on Hertz base rates (AAA Club Group)
• Free additional driver with AAA membership at Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty (AAA Travel)
• CDP code 21000 for Hertz (AAA Travel)
• AAA partners with Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty (AAA Trip Canvas)
• Young renter fee waived for ages 20–24 at Hertz (AAA Travel)
• Prepaid fuel savings of 10% at Hertz (AAA Travel)

What’s unclear

• Whether the AAA discount applies to every Hertz location worldwide (confirmed for U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and 80+ countries — some exclusions may apply)
• If the AAA discount can be combined with other promotions (AAA Travel says it may not be combinable with certain offers)
• Exact savings for a one-time rental (depends on base rate, rental duration, and location)

Add a free additional driver. Save 10% off prepaid fuel.

Hertz.com (Hertz official rental site)

AAA members can receive free use of one child safety seat with Hertz.

AAA Travel (official AAA travel portal)

Editor’s note: The information above is based on AAA and Hertz official pages as of June 2026. For the most current rates and promotions, always check the partner sites directly.

The pattern is clear: for anyone who rents a car at least once a year, the AAA membership pays for itself through the Hertz discount alone. Add the free additional driver, young renter waiver, and international savings, and the cumulative value is substantial. For occasional renters under 25 or families needing a child seat, the decision is even more clear: the AAA car rental discounts turn a standard rental into a deal that’s hard to beat.

For travelers planning to rent a car abroad, securing an AAA International Driving Permit is an essential step to ensure your license is valid overseas.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Outer Banks NC: Travel Guide & Netflix Filming Facts · Food and Wine Festival 2024: Dates, Lineups, What to Wear